Dispensing System for Sanitary Tissue Products

ABSTRACT

A soft-sided package having an outer wrap having a 1% MD secant modulus to caliper ratio of about 5 MPa/μm or less and a plurality of sanitary tissue products disposed within the outer wrap is provided. The package also includes a corner seal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packages for sanitary tissue products,in particular soft-sided packages for sanitary tissue products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sanitary tissue products, such as facial tissue, are typically providedin paperboard cartons or similarly rigid containers. Such cartons havetheir drawbacks. For instance, consumers often desire a more flexibleyet durable package and/or water resistant package, which would permitmaintaining sanitary tissue products in more areas (e.g., bathrooms,cars, etc.). Further, manufacturers of sanitary tissue products desire away to better communicate the properties of their products through thefeel of their packaging.

Flexible containers have been developed for sanitary tissue products butstill present undesired limitations. For instance, current flexiblepackages lack a premium feel and/or structural features that connotes toconsumers high quality and/or tactile properties of the productscontained within. Likewise, current flexible packages are oftensubstantially opaque, precluding a consumer from viewing the contents,or substantially transparent providing no artistic features to connotecharacteristics about the package contents. In addition, currentflexible packages often provide seals across their bottom side or inother undesirable areas, obstructing aesthetic designs and/or brandinformation. Similarly, aesthetic designs are obstructed by the amountof written information that must be provided at the point of sale.

Manufacturers are also faced with stability problems arising fromflexible packaging. Flexible packaging lacks the rigidity of paperboardand therefore cannot stand as easily on store shelves, leading to adisorganized or chaotic appearance. In addition, the lack of rigiditymay cause tears in a flexible package, especially in the dispensingopening, during shipping and display as consumers and store staff handlethe products.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a flexible package that hastextural, structural and artistic features that connote characteristicsabout the package contents and/or provides a more appealing texture thanknown packages. Moreover, there is a need to provide a flexible packagethat has optimal space for its aesthetic design and written informationwithout obstruction of package seals. In addition, there is a need foradded stability for flexible packages that result in better salespresentation, dispensing and/or protection during shipping and handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses one or more of the above problems byproviding a dispensing system that connotes properties about itscontents, optimizes space for aesthetic design and brand information andenhances stability. In an embodiment, a soft-sided package comprises anouter wrap that has a 1% MD secant modulus to caliper ratio of about 5Mpa/μm or less. A plurality of sanitary tissue products is disposed withthe outer wrap is provided. The package further comprises a corner seal.

In another embodiment, a soft-sided package comprising an outer wrapsubstantially surrounding a plurality of sanitary tissue products isprovided. The package comprises a package bulk of about 7 cm³/g orgreater at a compression pressure of 100 gsi.

In an additional embodiment, a soft-sided package having an outer wrapand a plurality of sanitary tissue products disposed within the outerwrap, where the package has a package depth compressibility of about 11mils/(log(gsi)) or greater is provided.

In another embodiment, a soft-side package comprises an outer wrap and aplurality of sanitary tissue products disposed within the outer wrap,and a dispensing opening disposed on a first side. The package furthercomprises a stiffener that is associated with the outer wrap and atleast partially disposed on the first side. The stiffener is spaced adistance, D_(stiff), away from the dispensing opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is schematic view of an outer wrap in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a soft-sided package in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a soft-sided package in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a soft-sided package in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of package in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a soft-sided package in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a soft-sided package in accordance withyet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a soft-sided package in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9B-9D are schematic views of stiffeners in accordance with anonlimiting examples of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of a structuredsanitary tissue product in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the paper web ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sleeve in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dispensing system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a exploded view of a dispensing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a dispensing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bottom of a sleeve in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a partial, schematic view of a sleeve in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a dispensing system in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of a dispensing system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 20 is an elevational view of an array in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

“Brand information” as used herein means any descriptions, depictions,objects or other indicia relating to a brand (i.e., a single sourceidentifier which identifies a product and/or service as exclusivelycoming from a single commercial source). Nonlimiting examples of a brandare PUFFS® facial tissue, CHARMIN® bath tissue, and BOUNTY® papertowels. PUFFS®, CHARMIN® and BOUNTY® are also trademarks. Nonlimitingexamples of brand information are brand names, brand insignia (e.g.,objects, words, colors, shapes or other indicia that can be used todistinguish, identify or represent the manufacturer, retailer,distributor or brand of a product, including but not limited totrademarks, logos, emblems, symbols, designs, figures, fonts, lettering,crests or similar identifying marks), slogans, history, mascots,endorsements, certifications, recommendations and claims regarding brandperformance, quality, recognition or consumers' preferences for thebrand.

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means one or more finishedfibrous products, converted or not, that is useful as a wiping implementfor post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (e.g., toilet tissueand wet wipes), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (e.g., facialtissue), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (e.g., papertowels and shop towels). The sanitary tissue products can be embossed ornot embossed, creped or uncreped, single or multi-ply.

A “structured sanitary tissue product” as used herein means a sanitarytissue product having one or more wet-formed (formed while the fibersare yet to be fully dried) textural elements, intentionally formedduring the papermaking process. When a sanitary tissue product is laidsubstantially flat in an x-y plane, a textural element is a deformationin the product having a z-direction dimension extending above or belowthe plane of the sanitary tissue product. In this case, z-direction isorthogonal both the machine direction and cross machine direction, suchthat the machine direction, cross machine direction and z-direction forma Cartesian coordinate system. Through-air-drying (TAD) processes areknown to make structured sanitary tissue products. Likewise, processesutilizing photo-curable resin patterned through-air-drying papermakingbelts are known to make structured sanitary tissue products. Astructured sanitary tissue product may have textural elements extendingfrom about 180 microns to about 730 microns in the z-direction asmeasured from the non-deformed portion of the sanitary tissue product tothe highest point of the textural element. Non-limiting examples ofcollection devices and/or fabric and/or belts suitable for impartingwet-formed textural elements to a sanitary tissue product include thosefabrics and/or belts used in fabric creping and/or belt crepingprocesses, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,820,008 and7,789,995, coarse through-air-drying fabrics as used in uncrepedthrough-air-drying processes, and photo-curable resin patternedthrough-air-drying belts, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,637,859. In addition, a structured sanitary tissue product may furthercomprise one or more dry-formed textures (i.e., formed after the fibersare dry) which typically occurs during converting processes such asembossing. The textural elements of a structure sanitary tissue productmay be disposed in a pattern, or they may be disposed randomly. Thetextual elements may be uniform or nonuniform.

Conventional wet pressed sanitary tissue products do not have wet-formedtextural elements intentionally formed during the papermaking process.

The sanitary tissue product (whether structured or not) may be segmentedinto individual segments of sanitary tissue products having discretelengths. An individual segment of sanitary tissue products can then befolded upon itself and subsequently stacked and/or interleaved with theremaining individual segments. Such stacked and/or interleaved sanitarytissue products can then be inserted into appropriate packagingconsistent with the present disclosure. Packages for containing anddispensing stacked and/or interleaved sheet materials disposed insidecan generally be divided into two principal types. The first typeenables stacked and interfolded sheets to “pop-up” to dispense throughan opening in the top wall of the package. Such pop-up dispensersprovide partial withdrawal of the next successive tissue upon pullingsheets out one at a time from the package. The second type of packagefacilitates dispensing of a stack of sheets that are generally notinterfolded by providing an opening in at least one of the package wallsto enable a user to reach into the package and remove one or more of thesheets at a time. This latter type of package is commonly known as a“reach-in” package.

Alternatively, a sanitary tissue product may be convolutely wound uponitself about a core or without a core to form a sanitary tissue productroll. Lines of perforation can be provided within the length of thewound product to facilitate separation of adjacent portions of theconvolutely wound sanitary tissue product.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may compriseadditives such as softening agents, temporary wet strength agents,permanent wet strength agents, bulk softening agents, lotions,silicones, wetting agents, latexes, especially surface-pattern-appliedlatexes, dry strength agents such as carboxymethylcellulose and starch,and other types of additives suitable for inclusion in and/or onsanitary tissue products.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit abasis weight from about 5 g/m² to about 120 g/m², or from about 10 g/m²to about 75 g/m², or from about 10 g/m² to about 50 g/m². In anotherembodiment, the sanitary tissue products of the present invention mayexhibit a basis weight of about 15 g/m² (9.2 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 120g/m² (73.8 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 15 g/m² (9.2 lbs/3000 ft²) toabout 110 g/m² (67.7 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 20 g/m² (12.3lbs/3000 ft²) to about 100 g/m² (61.5 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 30(18.5 lbs/3000 ft²) to 90 g/m² (55.4 lbs/3000 ft²). In yet anotherembodiment, the sanitary tissue products of the present invention mayexhibit a basis weight between about 40 g/m² (24.6 lbs/3000 ft²) toabout 120 g/m² (73.8 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 50 g/m² (30.8lbs/3000 ft²) to about 110 g/m² (67.7 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 55g/m² (33.8 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 105 g/m² (64.6 lbs/3000 ft²) and/orfrom about 60 g/m² (36.9 lbs/3000 ft²) to 100 g/m² (61.5 lbs/3000 ft²).

“Structured wrap material” as used herein means wrap material for use informing an outer wrap and having one or more textural elements formedduring the manufacturing of the material (e.g., during the making of thematerial from fibers, plastics, chemicals or other base components orduring converting of the material to a finished outer wrap). When thematerial is laid substantially flat in an x-y plane, a textural elementis a deformation in the material having a z-direction dimensionextending above or below the plane of the material. In this case,z-direction is orthogonal both the machine direction and cross machinedirection, such that the machine direction, cross machine direction andz-direction form a Cartesian coordinate system. The textural elementsmay comprise embossments or microembossments. The textural elements maybe disposed in a pattern, or they may be disposed randomly. The textualelements may be uniform or nonuniform. The structured wrap material maybe a film material. In an embodiment, the structured wrap material is amicroembossed film that can have a soft feel.

“Reading orientation” as used herein means any angle at which a letter,word, or symbol is positioned with respect to a reader such that it isin its intended orientation to be read or interpreted by a consumer whenthe product is viewed by the consumer in a given position. Thus, forexample, in FIG. 2, the words “Brand Super Soft” are at a readingorientation for a reader viewing the indicia 20 while the heightdimensions, H₁ and H₂, of the dispensing system 10 are perpendicular tothe horizontal shelf 22. Likewise, the letters “ABCD”, although orienteddifferently, are still in a reading orientation for a reader viewing theindicia 20 while the dispensing system 10 is in the same position. Thereading orientation of “ABCD” in this case is preferable whenpositioning a plurality of dispensing systems 10 side-by-side such thatthe side with “ABCD” is facing the reader. As explained in detail below,FIG. 17 shows multiple reading orientations for indicia 20 provided onthe same sleeve 16. In an embodiment where indicia such as a trademarkor brand name is in a curved orientation, a reading orientation can besuch that at a midpoint of the curved word or symbol, an imaginarytangent line bisects the word or symbol in the traditional (i.e.,straight) reading orientation.

“Machine Direction,” MD, as used herein is the direction of manufacturefor a sanitary tissue product. The machine direction can be thedirection in which sanitary tissue product progresses during itsmanufacture, such that the MD is parallel to a length direction ofmaterial.

“Cross Machine Direction,” CD as used herein is the directionsubstantially perpendicular to the machine direction.

“Film” is intended to include any flexible polymeric materials,including foils, polymer sheets, co-extrusions, laminates, andcombinations thereof. Film may be fabricated from a polymer that doesnot have adhesive characteristics, which may be made from homogeneousresins or blends thereof. The properties of a selected film can include,though are not restricted to, combinations or degrees of being: porous,non-porous, microporous, gas or liquid permeable, non-permeable,hydrophilic, hydrophobic, hydroscopic, oleophilic, oleophobic, highcritical surface tension, low critical surface tension, surfacepre-textured, elastically yieldable, plastically yieldable, electricallyconductive, and electrically non-conductive. Such materials can behomogeneous or composition combinations.

Film may be made from homogeneous resins or blends thereof. Single ormultiple layers within the film structure are contemplated, whetherco-extruded, extrusion-coated, laminated or combined by other knownmeans. Useful resins include, but are not limited to, polyethylene (PE),polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), latex structures, nylon, etc.

Polyolefins tend to be lower in cost and relatively easy to form but arenot necessary to practice the invention. High density polyethylene(HDPE) may be used fabricate the film. Other suitable materials tofabricate the film from include, but are not limited to, aluminum foil,coated (waxed, etc.) and uncoated paper, coated and uncoated wovens,scrims, meshes, nonwovens, and perforated or porous films, andcombinations thereof.

Overview

The present invention comprises a dispensing system 10. As shown in FIG.1, the dispensing system 10 comprises a soft-sided package 12, made ofan outer wrap 14 and having a plurality of sanitary tissue products 15housed within it. The dispensing system 10 may optionally comprise arelatively rigid sleeve 16 that substantially and circumferentiallysurrounds a portion of the soft-sided package 12, as shown in FIG. 2.The sleeve 16 is made of a material 18 that has a rigidity greater thanthe rigidity of the outer wrap 14. The soft-sided package 12 can haveindicia 20 displayed, such as printed brand information 26 as well asother design elements 28. The sleeve 16 provides additional space forindicia 20 and design elements 30 as well as stability for thedisplaying and handling the soft-sided package 12. In one embodiment,the soft-sided package 12 and sleeve 16 are oriented vertically on ahorizontal shelf 22 and at least a portion of the sleeve 16 is incontacting relationship with the shelf 22. Other features and benefitsof the dispensing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are discussed in moredetail below.

The Soft-Sided Package

Turning to FIG. 3, the soft-sided package 12 of the present inventioncomprises an outer wrap 14, which can formed into a substantiallyparallelepiped structure or other suitable shape for housing a pluralityof sanitary tissue products 15. In an embodiment, the outer wrap 14 maycomprise a film. In another embodiment, the outer wrap 14 may comprise astructured wrap material 141, such as material having an embossment 142and/or a microembossment 143. In one nonlimiting example, the outer wrap14 may have a basis weight of about 32 gsm to about 72 gsm, or about 40gsm to about 60 gsm, or about 50 gsm according to the Wrap Basis WeightTest Method herein. In another nonlimiting example, the outer wrap 14may have a caliper (i.e., wrap thickness, t_(wrap)) at 95 gsi of forceof greater than about 40 μm, or greater than about 50 μm, or from about70 μm to about 110 μm, or from about 71 μm to about 91 μm. In yetanother nonlimiting example, the outer wrap 14 may have a caliper (i.e.,a wrap thickness, t_(wrap)) at 300 gsi of force (i.e., at a compressionpressure of 300 gsi) of about 1.5 mils or greater, or about 2 mils orgreater, or from about 2 mils to about 4.3 mils, or from about 2.5 milsto about 4 mils, or about 4 mils or less, or about 2.75 mils inaccordance with the Paper Stack Compressibility Test Method herein. In afurther embodiment, the outer wrap 14 may comprise a wrap bendingmodulus of about 1800 MPa or less, or about 1500 MPa or less or about1000 MPa or less, or about 800 MPa or less, or about 500 MPa to about1000 MPa, or about 600 MPa to about 800 MPa, with each range relating tothe bending modulus at a thickness, t_(wrap), measured under acompression pressure of 300 gsi in accordance with the Plate StiffnessTest Method herein. The wrap bending modulus is a measure of amaterial's resistance to being deformed. In other words, the lower thewrap bending modulus value, the more flexible the material is. It isbelieved that the bending modulus values disclosed herein provide thebenefit of indicating to an end user the properties of sanitary tissueproducts 15 contained within the package 12 (e.g., soft and flexible).Likewise, the wrap bending modulus values within the scope of thepresent invention may provide a more flexible package that can withstandshipping and handling.

In yet another nonlimiting example, the 1% MD secant modulus of theouter wrap 14 may be about 170,000 kPa or less, or 150,000 kPa or less,or about 110,000 kPa or less. The 1% CD secant modulus of the outer wrap14 may be about 240,000 kPa or less, or about 200,000 kPa or less, orabout 150,000 kPa or less, or about 111,000 kPa or less. The MD and/orCD secant modulus are believed to be a good indicator of an outer wrap'sflexibility. Surprisingly, an outer wrap 14 in accordance with thepresent invention may present a low 1% MD secant modulus and/or low 1%CD secant modulus despite having a relatively high caliper (i.e., acaliper greater than that of typical polyethylene wraps used forsanitary tissue product packaging) as shown in Table 1. In anembodiment, the 1% MD secant modulus to caliper ratio (i.e., 1% MDsecant modulus divided by caliper) is about 5 MPa/μm or less, or about 3MPa/μm or less. In another embodiment, the 1% CD secant modulus tocaliper ratio (i.e., 1% CD secant modulus divided by caliper) is about 7MPa/μm or less, or about 5 MPa/μm or less, or about 3 MPa/μm or less. Inother words, the outer wrap 14 is flexible yet thicker than polyethylenewraps typically used on sanitary tissue product packaging and thinnerthan heavy duty wrap materials, providing a premium feel for the enduser without jeopardizing flexibility or integrity. In short, theproperties of the outer wrap 14 of the present invention fall within asweet spot so to speak. The MD secant modulus and CD secant modulusvalues may be determined using ASTM D-882. In one nonlimiting example,the outer wrap 14 may be embossed or microembossed.

One suitable outer wrap 14 for use in the present invention is CLOPAYMICROFLEX®, available from Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. Tables1-4 illustrate the differences in properties of the outer wrap 14 ofpresent invention versus other packaging materials.

TABLE 1 Units mils g/cm³ cm³/g # MPa gsm t_(wrap) Wrap Density Wrap BulkN*mm # sheets Wrap Bending Wrap BW (gsm) @300 gsi for t_(wrap) fort_(wrap) Wrap Plate used in plate Modulus for t_(wrap) ID per one sheetper one sheet @300 gsi @300 gsi Stiffness stiffness test @ 300 gsiKLEENEX ® 396 21.10 0.739 1.35 408 1 31763 hard box package materialANGEL SOFT ® 100 4.40 0.898 1.11 27.5 5 1886 soft-sided package materialOuter wrap of 51.8 2.75 0.741 1.35 2.53 5 710 present invention

TABLE 2 Caliper @ Caliper @ Density Basis Weight 95 gsi 95 gsi(BW/Caliper) gsm mils Microns g/cm³ CLOPAY DH-215 50 2.8 71.0 .71MICROFLEX ® 50-gsm PE - within the scope of the present invention CLOPAYDH-215 72 3.6 91.4 .78 MICROFLEX ® 72-gsm PE - within the scope of thepresent invention BOUNTY ® Napkins PE 56 1.5 38.1 1.47 CHARMIN ® 4Regular Roll PE 25 1.0 25.4 .98 CHARMIN ® 1-roll Inner Wrap 15 0.6 15.2.98 PE BOUNTY ® 6 Roll Duratowel ® 36 1.5 38.1 .94 PE PUFFS To Go ®Wrapper PE 40 1.3 31.8 1.26

TABLE 3 Caliper @ 95 1% MD Secant 1% MD Secant Modulus/ gsi ModulusCaliper microns kPa MPa/μm CLOPAY DH-215 71.0 91121 1.3 MICROFLEX ®50-gsm PE - within the scope of the present invention CLOPAY DH-215 91.4106779 1.2 MICROFLEX ® 72-gsm PE - within the scope of the presentinvention BOUNTY ® Napkins PE 38.1 490000 12.9 CHARMIN ® 4 Regular Roll25.4 441000 17.4 PE CHARMIN ® 1-roll Inner 15.2 827000 54.3 Wrap PEBOUNTY ® 6 Roll Duratowel ® 38.1 283000 7.4 PE PUFFS To Go ® Wrapper PE31.8 172000 5.4

TABLE 4 Caliper @ 95 1% CD Secant 1% CD Secant Modulus/ gsi ModulusCaliper microns kPa MPa/μm CLOPAY DH-215 71.0 91886 1.3 MICROFLEX ®50-gsm PE - within the scope of the present invention CLOPAY DH-215 91.4110095 1.2 MICROFLEX ® 72-gsm PE - within the scope of the presentinvention BOUNTY ® Napkins PE 38.1 662000 17.4 CHARMIN ® 4 Regular Roll25.4 531000 20.9 PE CHARMIN ® 1-roll Inner 15.2 986000 64.7 Wrap PEBOUNTY ® 6 Roll Duratowel ® 38.1 365000 9.6 PE PUFFS To Go ® Wrapper PE31.8 241000 7.6

The outer wrap 14 may be formed into the soft-sided package 12 by anysuitable method. One suitable method of forming the package 12 of thepresent invention is to use an asymmetrically funnel-shaped formingshoulder to guide the wrap material for forming a tube-like envelope insuch a way that the longitudinally running edges of the film align withone longitudinal corner of the respective stack of products. Such aprocess is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,502 to Spiekers et al.

In an embodiment, the soft-sided package 12 can be described generallyas being parallelepiped-shaped, having a generally rectangularcross-section as shown in FIG. 1. In another nonlimiting example, thepackage 12 may not be parallelepiped. For example, the package 12 mayhave rounded or partially round corners as shown in FIG. 4 such as thoseformed by elongated gusset seals 34.

The soft-sided package may have three main dimensions of width, depth,and height, as shown in FIG. 4. Because, as discussed later, the sleeve16 also has width, depth and height dimensions, the dispensing system 10dimensions are described herein as being “first” and “second” withrespect to the package 12 and sleeve 16, respectively. Further, becausethe package 12 is soft-sided and closed on both ends, it is recognizedthat the dimensions are variable within a range, depending on the sizeof the package, how much sanitary tissue product 15 is inside, and othervariables as is known in the art of tissue product packaging. For thisreason, the dimensions may be measured under compression pressure asdetailed in the Package Compressibility Test Method. In the presentdisclosure, the longest dimension of either the soft-sided package 12 orthe sleeve 16 is referred to as the “height” dimension because in oneembodiment it is envisioned that the dispensing system 10 be shelvedwith the longest dimension being vertically oriented, as shown forexample in FIGS. 1-2, and 4. That is, in such embodiment, the twoshorter dimensions, width and depth are in a plane parallel to a shelf22 or other resting surface when the dispensing system 10 is practiced.However, it should be understood that this naming convention does notlimit the scope of the present invention. That is, other orientationsare envisioned. For example, in another embodiment, the dispensingsystem 10 may be positioned such that the height and depth are in aplane parallel to the resting surface when the dispensing system 10 ispracticed as shown in FIG. 5. Likewise, the dispensing system 10 may beplaced such that the width and height dimensions are in a plane parallelto the shelf 22 or other resting surface when the dispensing system 10is practiced (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the package 12 comprises a first width, W₁, afirst depth, D₁, and a first height, H₁. The first height, H₁, firstdepth, D₁, and first W₁ can be viewed on a Cartesian coordinate systemsuch that they are mutually orthogonal. The package 12 also comprises afirst perimeter, P₁. In one nonlimiting example, illustrated in FIG. 4,the first perimeter, P1, equates generally to 2(W₁+D₁), againrecognizing that W₁ and D₁ can be variable because of the soft sidednature of soft-sided package 12. In another nonlimiting example,illustrated in FIG. 5, the first perimeter, P1, may generally equate to2(H₁+D₁) again recognizing that H₁ and D₁ can be variable because of thesoft sided nature of soft-sided package 12.

In one nonlimiting example, the first height, H₁, may be about 15 cm orgreater, or from about 15 cm to about 25 cm, from about 20 cm to about23 cm at about 100 grams of force per square inch (i.e., a compressionpressure of 100 gsi) in accordance with the Package Compressibility TestMethod herein. In another nonlimiting example, the first height, H₁, isgreater than the longest dimension of the unfolded sanitary tissueproduct 15 contained within the package 12 at about 100 grams of forceper square inch in accordance with the Package Compressibility TestMethod herein. In yet another nonlimiting example, the dimensions of thepackage 12 may be equivalent to so-called pocket packs where, forexample, the longest dimension may be about 10 cm or less, or about 8 cmor less, or less than the longest dimension of an unfolded sanitarytissue product 15 contained within the package 12 at about 100 grams offorce per square inch in accordance with the Package CompressibilityTest Method herein.

In an embodiment, the package 12 may be placed on a horizontal surface,such as a shelf 22 that would be present in a store or in a consumer'shome or workplace. The package 12 may be placed such that the firstheight, H₁, is perpendicular to the horizontal shelf 22 when package 12is in its in-use orientation, causing the first height, H₁, to bevertically oriented. Alternatively, the package 12 may be placed on theshelf 22 such that the first depth, D₁, or the width, W₁, isperpendicular to the shelf 22 when package 12 is in an alternativein-use orientation, causing the first depth, D₁, or the first width, W₁,respectively to be vertically oriented.

As shown in FIG. 6, the soft-sided package 12 may contain a plurality ofsanitary tissue products 15. The package 12 comprises a dispensingopening 24. The dispensing opening 24 may be any suitable shape or sizeto facilitate removal of the sanitary tissue products 15. The dispensingopening 24 may comprise a line of weakness 24 a (as shown in FIG. 2)such as a perforation or slit. The dispensing opening 24 may be at leastpartially resealable. In another embodiment, the dispensing opening 24may be partially or completely removable as shown in FIG. 6. Thedispensing opening 24 may be disposed on a first side 12 a of thepackage 12. In one nonlimiting example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, thedispensing opening 24 may comprise an opening area, A_(disp), whichequates to the dispensing opening's width, W_(disp), multiplied by itsheight, H_(asp). The opening area, A_(disp), may be about 70% of thesurface area of the first side 12 a, A_(side), (i.e., W_(side)×H_(side))or greater, or about 70-99%, or about 75-90%, of the surface area of thefirst side 12 a, A_(side). In such nonlimiting example, dispensing maybe made easier by reduced frictional contact between the outer wrap 14and the sanitary tissue product 15 during dispensing. In other words,there is more room for the sanitary tissue product 15 to exit and lessconstraints from the package 12.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment where the package 12 comprises brandinformation 26. In another embodiment, the package 12 comprises a firstdesign 28 (also shown in FIG. 8). The first design 28 may compriseprinting and/or embossments, shapes, patterns, indicia and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 8, the soft-sided package 12 may comprise areas ofprinting 14 b, areas void of printing 14 a, and combinations thereof. Inone embodiment, the package 12 is translucent. In another embodiment,windows 14 c into the interior of the package 12 are provided. Windowsand/or translucency permit a consumer to at least partially see theproduct inside soft-sided package 12. Translucency, such as haziness,may connote softness.

The package 12 may further comprise a corner seal 32. The corner seal 32may be provided using the apparatus and process defined in U.S. Pat. No.8,464,502 to Spiekers et. al. In addition, the package 12 may compriseone or more gusset seals 34. The corner seal 32 is relativelyinconspicuous and precludes the need to seal the package in an obtrusivemanner, such as by sealing a seam in the middle of a side of the package12, which interferes with indicia 20, including brand information 26,and generally detracts from the aesthetic appearance of package 12.Utilizing a corner seal 32 permits the use of more of the package 12surface for printing 14 b, design 28 and/or brand information 26. In anembodiment, the corner seal 32 joins a first side 12 a and the secondside 12 b of the package, wherein the second side 12 b is adjacent tothe first side 12 a. The skilled person will recognize that the sides 12a, 12 b may already be joined as a function of being part of one pieceof wrap 14. However, the seal 32 may still be formed, further joining orassociating the two sides 12 a, 12 b (e.g., overlapping them). In onenonlimiting example, the corner seal 32 joins the first and second sides12 a, 12 b at about a 90° angle, or about 75-95°. In an embodiment, thecorner seal 32 is comprised of a sufficient amount of wrap 14 to act asa foot 33 as shown in FIG. 8. In other words, a sufficient portion ofthe outer wrap 14 extends beyond the seal 32 to create a ledge so tospeak. The foot 33 (or ledge) may provide additional stability to thepackage 12 when it is placed on a shelf 22 or similar resting surface.

In addition, the soft-sided package 12 may comprise a package bulk ofabout 7 cm³/g or greater according to the Package Compressibility TestMethod herein, where the volume of the package 12 is based on itsdimensions under a compression pressure of 100 gsi. In anotherembodiment, the package 12 may comprise a package bulk of about 8 cm³/gor greater, or about 9 cm³/g or greater or about 10 cm³/g or greateraccording to the Package Compressibility Test Method, where the volumeof the package 12 is based on its dimensions under a compressionpressure of 100 gsi. In such embodiments, the package 12 may approximatethe bulk of a hard-sided package (e.g., paperboard package) whileproviding the tactile benefits that a hard sided package cannot provide.For example, package bulk in a soft-sided package 12 provides anindication of softness and fluffiness while the same bulk in ahard-sided package does not give the same indication. The effect isanalogous to a pillow versus a cardboard box. In one nonlimitingexample, package bulk is increased by the addition of a structuredsanitary tissue product 151.

In another embodiment, the soft-sided package 12 of the presentinvention may exhibit a density of about 0.0150 g/cm³ or less, or 0.0125g/cm³ or less, 0.0120 g/cm³ or less or 0.0100 g/cm³ or less, where thevolume of the package 12 is based on its dimensions under a compressionpressure of 100 gsi. Table 5 shows various properties of the soft-sidedpackage 12 of the present invention versus properties of other packages.The packages in Table 5 each contain a plurality of sanitary tissueproducts 15.

TABLE 5 Units cm cm cm mils mils mils g g/cm³ cm³/g Pkg Depth Pkg WidthPkg Height Pkg Pkg Pkg ID @100 gsi @100 gsi @100 gsi Weight Density BulkKLEENEX ® hard 8.67 12.17 22.67 290.10 0.121 8.25 box containing 34154791 8926 KLEENEX ® Regular facial tissues (160 count) ANGEL SOFT ®soft- 6.40 10.80 21.72 229.86 0.153 6.53 sided package containing 25194252 8552 ANGEL SOFT ® facial tissues (165 count) Invention - Soft-sided8.06 10.82 21.36 178.47 0.096 10.43 package of present 3173 4259 8410invention containing PUFFS Basic ® facial tissues (132 count)Invention - Soft-sided 6.86 11.77 21.01 218.22 0.129 7.77 package ofpresent 2700 4634 8274 invention containing KLEENEX ® Regular tissues(132 count) Invention - Soft-sided 7.12 11.77 21.25 243.28 0.137 7.32package of present 2803 4636 8365 invention containing KLEENEX ® Regularfacial tissues (160 count)

In another embodiment, the package 12 may have a package depthcompressibility of about 210 mils/log(gsi) or greater, or about 280mils/log(gsi) or greater, or about 380 mils/log(gsi), or about 400mils/log(gsi) or greater, or about 500 mils/log(gsi) in accordance withthe Package Compressibility Test Method herein. The package depthcompressibility values within the scope of the present invention providea stronger indication of softness and flexibility, which is significantto indicate the properties of sanitary tissue products 15 to the endusers.

Table 6 shows various compressibility values that for products withinthe scope of the present invention as well as products outside the scopeof the present invention.

TABLE 6 Units mils mils/log(gsi) log(gsi) mils/log(gsi) Pkg Depth PkgDepth Pkg Depth Pkg Depth near-zero load Compressibility- CompMod-Recoverability- thickness b(c) m(c) b/m(c) m(r) ID 1250 1250 1250 1250KLEENEX ® hard box containing 3719 165.3 22.50 148.4 KLEENEX ® Regularfacial tissues (160 count) ANGEL SOFT ® soft-sided package 2896 205.214.11 156.2 containing ANGEL SOFT ® facial tissues (165 count)Invention—Soft-sided package of 4126 526.0 7.91 432.8 present inventioncontaining PUFFS Basic ® facial tissues (132 count) Invention—Soft-sidedpackage of 3392 376.9 9.02 314.6 present invention containing KLEENEX ®Regular Tissues (132 count) Invention—Soft-sided package of 3332 286.411.66 251.3 present invention containing KLEENEX ® Regular Tissues (160count)

In yet another embodiment, the package 12 may comprise a stiffener 35,as shown in FIGS. 9-9D. The stiffener 35 of the present disclosure isbelieved to provide more uniform deflation (i.e., shrinkage) as packagecontents are removed. In addition, the stiffener 35 of the presentinvention provides more uniform resistance for the outer edges ofsanitary tissue products 15 during dispensing. This is especiallyimportant for large dispensing openings 24 in order to preventdispensing of more than the desired number of products 15, moving thepackage 12 as the sanitary tissue product 15 is being pulled and/orhaving the remaining products 15 fall over after one or more products 15have been dispensed. In addition, a stiffener 35 may provide enoughresistance to allow an end-user to use only one hand to pull thesanitary tissue product 15 while avoiding the above-noted issues.

In an embodiment, the stiffener 35 comprises a material 351 that is morerigid than the outer wrap 14. Nonlimiting examples of suitable material351 include paper, cut-resistant flexible material, polymeric films(that are more rigid than the outer wrap 14), stiffened fabrics andcombinations thereof. In one nonlimiting example, the stiffener 35comprises paper, such as paperboard or cardboard. In another nonlimitingexample, the stiffener 35 comprises a layered film.

The stiffener 35 may be fixedly associated with the outer wrap 14. Byway of nonlimiting examples, the stiffener 35 may be associated with theouter wrap 14 by adhesive and/or mechanical attachment (such asstaples). In one embodiment, the stiffener 35 may be associated with theouter wrap 14 on the first side 12 a of the package 12. In anembodiment, the stiffener 35 is a stiffened or thickened portion of thesleeve 16 as discussed below. In an alternative embodiment, thestiffener 35 is not integral with the sleeve 16. In one nonlimitingexample, the stiffener 35 is disposed inside the package 12. In analternative nonlimiting example, the stiffener 35 is disposed on theoutside of the package 12. In yet another nonlimiting example, at leasttwo stiffeners 35 are associated with the outer wrap 14. In suchexample, the stiffeners 35 can both be disposed on the outside of thepackage 12 or on the inside of the package 12, or one 35 may be disposedon the outside while the other 35 is disposed on the inside of thepackage 12.

The stiffener 35 may be a strip, or other suitable shape, joinedsubstantially parallel to an edge 24 b of the dispensing opening 24. Thestiffener 35 may be located adjacent to the dispensing opening 24. In anembodiment, the stiffener 35 is spaced a distance, D_(stiff), from anedge 24 b of the dispensing opening 24, as measured between the closestpoints on the edge 24 b and stiffener 35 (i.e., D_(stiff) is theshortest distance between the dispensing opening 24 and the stiffener35). D_(stiff) may be about 2.5 cm or less, or 2 cm or less, or about 1cm or less or about 0.5 cm or less, or about 0 mm.

The stiffener 35 can be generally in a strip form and comprise a width,W_(stiff), and a height, H_(stiff), which directionally correspond withthe width and height dimensions of the package 12 and the first side 12a as shown in FIG. 9. In one nonlimiting example, W_(stiff) is less thanthe W_(side) (i.e., the width of the first side 12 a). In anothernonlimiting example, W_(stiff) is greater than W_(side), such that thestiffener 35 may extend beyond the first side 12 a and, if desired befolded, creating a portion of the depth, D₁, on one or more sides of thepackage 12 as shown in FIG. 9A. In yet another nonlimiting example,H_(stiff) may be less than H_(side) (i.e., the height of the first side12 a). Alternatively, H_(stiff) may be greater than H_(side) such thatthe stiffener 35 may extend beyond the first side 12 a and if desired befolded, creating a portion of the depth, D₁, on one or more sides of thepackage 12 as shown in FIG. 9. In another nonlimiting example, H_(stiff)and H_(side) are substantially the same and/or W_(stiff) and W_(side)are substantially the same.

The stiffener 35 may comprise any shape and/or size suitable forproviding resistance during dispensing and/or more uniform shrinkage ofthe package 12. In one nonlimiting example, the stiffener 35 issubstantially rectangular and in strip form as shown in FIG. 9. Inanother nonlimiting example, the stiffener 35 is substantially oval asshown in FIG. 9A. Other nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes areillustrated in FIGS. 9-9D. Where more than one stiffener 35 is used, anycombination of shapes and sizes may be used. In one embodiment, wheremore than one stiffener 35 is used, the stiffeners 35 comprise the sameshape and/or the same size.

The Sanitary Tissue Products

In an embodiment, the package 12 comprises a sanitary tissue product 15or a plurality of sanitary tissue products 15. Nonlimiting examples ofsanitary tissue products 15 include facial tissue, bath tissue and papertowels.

In an embodiment, the sanitary tissue product 15 comprises a structuredsanitary tissue product 151 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The structuredsanitary tissue product 151 comprises textural elements 152 that arewet-formed. In an embodiment, the wet-formed textural elements 152 areproduced in a papermaking method utilizing Through-Air-Dried (TAD)technology. Such methods are well developed in the art. TAD paper canhave more structure imparted during the papermaking process (as opposedto post-making converting processes such as embossing) than conventionalwet press paper.

In another embodiment, the structured sanitary tissue product 151comprises textural elements 152 that are made in a papermaking processand wet-formed on a textured belt such as a photo-curable resinpatterned through-air-drying belt, as taught in commonly assigned U.S.Pat. No. 4,528,239, issued Jul. 9, 1985 to Trokhan, for example. Thetextural elements 152 may include relatively high density regions 152 a,sometimes referred to as knuckles, and relatively low density regions152 b, sometimes referred to as domes or pillows.

In another nonlimiting example, the structured sanitary tissue product151 also comprises an embossment (not shown). In yet another nonlimitingexample, the package 12 comprises a plurality of sanitary tissueproducts 15. The plurality of sanitary tissue products 15 may comprise astructured sanitary tissue product 151 and/or a non-structured sanitarytissue product (not shown).

The sanitary tissue product 15, or a plurality of sanitary tissueproducts 15, may be disposed within the outer wrap 14. The plurality ofsanitary tissue products 15 may be stacked or rolled. The plurality ofsanitary tissue products 15 may be interfolded.

In one embodiment, the plurality of sanitary tissue products 15 has apaper stack compressibility of about 12 mils/log(gsi) or greater, orabout 16 mils/log(gsi) or greater, or about 7 mils/log(gsi) to about 20mils/log(gsi) in accordance with the Paper Stack Compressibility TestMethod disclosed herein. In a further embodiment, a sanitary tissueproduct 15 may comprise a paper thickness, t_(paper), of about 11 milsor greater, or from about 8 mils to about 12 mils or about every 0.1interval in between 8 mils and 12 mils, or about 12 mils, each valuebeing obtained at a compression pressure of about 25 gsi and inaccordance with the Paper Stack Compressibility Test Method. In stillfurther embodiment, a sanitary tissue product 15 may comprise a paperthickness, t_(paper), of about 9 mils or greater, or from about 5 milsto about 10 mils, or about every 0.1 interval in between 5 mils and 10mils, or about 9 mils, or about 10 mils, each value being obtained at acompression pressure of 100 gsi and in accordance with the Paper StackCompressibility Test Method. In another nonlimiting example, thesanitary tissue product 15 may comprise a thickness, t_(paper), at acompression pressure of 95 gsi of about 5 mils to about 45 mils, orabout 5.5 mils to about 7.5 mils, or about 13 mils to about 23 mils, orabout 16 mils to about 28 mils, or about 20 mils to about 40 mils, orany 0.1 interval in between 5 and 40 mils.

In yet another embodiment, the sanitary tissue product 15 may comprise apaper bulk of about 6 cm³/g or greater, or about 7 cm³/g or greater, orabout 8 cm³/g or greater or about 9 cm³/g or greater, or from about 6cm³/g to about 11 cm³/g, or from about 7 cm³/g to about 10 cm³/g at acompression pressure of 25 gsi in accordance with the Paper StackCompressibility Test Method herein. The sanitary tissue product 15 maycomprise a paper bulk of about 6 cm³/g or greater, or about 7 cm³/g orgreater, or about 8 cm³/g or greater, or from about 5 cm³/g to about 9cm³/g, or from about 6 cm³/g to about 8.5 cm³/g at a compressionpressure of 100 gsi in accordance with the Paper Stack CompressibilityTest Method herein.

In a further embodiment, the sanitary tissue product 15 may comprise apaper bending modulus of about 9 MPa or less, or about 8 MPa or less, orabout 3 MPa or less, or about 2 MPa for a paper thickness, t_(paper),taken at a compression pressure of 25 gsi. The sanitary tissue product15 may comprise a paper bending modulus of about 13 MPa or less, orabout 10 MPa or less, or about 6 MPa or less, or about 5 MPa or less fora paper thickness, t_(paper), taken at a compression pressure of 100gsi.

Tables 7-8 illustrate various characteristics of sanitary tissueproducts 15 that may be used within the scope of the present invention.

TABLE 7 Units mils/ mils log(gsi) log(gsi) mils mils mils Paper Avg. gsmPaper Stack Paper Stack t_(paper) t_(paper) t_(paper) Recovered PaperComp. - Comp. Modulus - per uu per uu per uu Thickness per ID BW m(c)1250 b/m(c) 1250 @25 gsi @100 gsi @300 gsi uu 10-1250 KLEENEX ® 33.0411.24 5.73 9.73 8.21 7.24 6.88 Regular facial tissue #1 ANGEL SOFT ®28.63 7.50 6.59 7.76 6.82 6.15 5.87 facial tissue PUFFS Basic ® 29.6516.06 5.02 11.59 9.72 8.10 9.93 facial tissue KLEENEX ® 32.64 10.90 5.769.49 8.06 7.10 7.38 Regular facial tissue #2

TABLE 8 Units cm³/g cm³/g N*mm # MPa MPa Paper Paper Paper Plate #sheets Paper Bending Paper Bending Bulk Bulk Stiffness used in plateModulus (wrt Modulus (wrt ID @25 gsi @100 gsi (5 sht) stiffness testt@25 gsi) t@100 gsi) KLEENEX ® 7.48 6.31 0.600 5 3.82 6.35 Regularfacial tissue #1 ANGEL SOFT ® 6.88 6.05 0.700 5 8.79 12.93 facial tissuePUFFS Basic ® 9.93 8.32 0.630 5 2.37 4.02 facial tissue KLEENEX ® 7.386.27 0.755 5 5.17 8.45 Regular facial tissue #2

In an embodiment, the package 12 may comprise a specific relationshipbetween the outer wrap 14 and the sanitary tissue product 15 containedwithin the package 12. In one nonlimiting example, the package 12 maycomprise a paper stack compressibility to wrap thickness ratio of about2/log(gsi) or greater, or about 4/log(gsi) or greater, or about5/log(gsi) or greater, where the paper stack compressibility isdetermined in accordance with the Stack Compressibility Test Method andthe wrap thickness is measured at a compression pressure of 300 gsi. Itis believed that a more compressible stack of sanitary tissue products15 coupled with a thinner wrap 14 will better connote to an end user,through touch of the package 12, that the enclosed sanitary tissueproduct 15 has desirable properties, such as softness, squeezability,flexibility and retained structural integrity.

In an additional embodiment, the package 12 has a wrap thickness topaper thickness ratio of less than about 0.7, or about 0.6 or less, orabout 0.5 or less, or about 0.35 or less, where both the wrap thickness,t_(wrap), and sanitary tissue product thickness, t_(paper), are measuredat a compression pressure of 300 gsi. It is believed that the disclosedratio (i.e., a thick tissue product 15 with a thin wrap 14) provides theend user with good perspective of the thickness of the enclosed sanitarytissue products 15 through examining the outer wrap 14 and package 12visually and by touch.

In a further embodiment, the outer wrap 14 is a structured outer wrap141 and a sanitary tissue product 15 enclosed in the package 12 is astructured sanitary tissue product 151. It is believed that by using astructured outer wrap material 141, the end user is better informed,through touch of the package 12, the expected feel of the enclosedstructured sanitary tissue product 151. In one nonlimiting example, thestructured sanitary tissue product 151 comprises wet-formed texturalelements 152 formed in a TAD papermaking process. In still anothernonlimiting example, the structured outer wrap 141 may be microembossedand/or embossed.

Table 9 illustrates relational attributes of the outer wrap 14 andsanitary tissue products 15 within the scope of the present invention.

TABLE 9 mils mils /log(gsi) Wrap Paper Paper Stack mils/log(gsi)Thickness Thickness Comp. to Paper Stack (t_(wrap)) (t_(paper)) WrapComp.-m(c) @300 gsi - 1 per uu Thickness none ID 1250 sheet @300 gsi(t_(wrap)) t_(wrap) to t_(paper) KLEENEX ® 11.24 21.10 7.24 0.532 2.92hard box package material &/or KLEENEX ® Regular facial tissues ANGEL7.50 4.40 6.15 1.70 0.716 SOFT ® soft- sided package material and/orANGEL SOFT ® facial tissues Outer wrap of 16.06 2.75 8.10 5.83 0.340present invention & PUFFS Basic ® facial tissues Outer wrap of 10.902.75 7.10 3.96 0.387 present invention & KLEENEX Regular ® facialtissues

The Sleeve

In one embodiment, the dispensing system 10 includes a sleeve 16. Thesleeve 16 may comprise a relatively rigid material 18, meaning thematerial 18 is more rigid than the outer wrap 14 from which thesoft-sided package 12 is formed and is generally rigid enough to beself-supporting when configured as described herein. Suitable materials18 include but are not limited to paper, cut-resistant flexiblematerial, polymeric films (that are more rigid than the outer wrap 14,or layered to form a material that is more rigid than the outer wrap14), stiffened fabrics and combinations thereof. In one nonlimitingexample, the sleeve 16 comprises paper, such as paperboard or cardboard.In another embodiment, the sleeve 16 is open on two opposing ends. Saiddifferently, the sleeve 16 is topless and bottomless. In anotherembodiment, the sleeve 16 is not open on two opposing ends (i.e., itcomprises a top and/or a bottom).

As can be seen in FIG. 12, the sleeve 16 (like the soft-sided package12) may be configured to have a generally rectangular cross section andhas a second width, W₂, a second depth, D₂, a second height, H₂, and asecond perimeter, P₂. In one nonlimiting example, the second perimeter,P₂ is substantially equal to 2(W₂+D₂) as shown in FIG. 12. In anothernonlimiting example, the second perimeter, P₂, is substantially equal to2(H₂+D₂) as shown in FIG. 13. In an embodiment, the sleeve 16 generallycircumferentially surrounds the soft-sided package 12. In onenonlimiting example, the second perimeter, P₂, is substantially equal toor slightly less than the first perimeter, P₁, such that an interiorsurface of the sleeve 16 is in contacting relationship with the exteriorsurface of the soft-sided package 12. The sleeve 16 can be infrictionally stable contact such that it does not slide off ofsoft-sided package 12 under slight forces such as the force of gravitywhen soft-sided package 12 is held. The sleeve 16 can be attached withadhesive, tape or other suitable means of adhesion. Alternatively, thesecond perimeter, P₂, may be greater than the first perimeter, P₁, suchthat the sleeve 16 fits loosely, or somewhat loosely, about the package12.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the sleeve 16 can comprise asingle panel 16′ associated with one or more sides of the soft-sidedpackage 12. FIG. 14 illustrates the sleeve 16 and the package 12separated for illustrative purposes. However, the single panel 16′ maybe associated with the package 12 by any suitable means, including forexample, staples and/or adhesive. The sleeve panel 16′ may be associatedwith a side of the package 12 a such that the package is more stable ona horizontal surface. In one nonlimiting example, the sleeve's panel 16′is attached to a first side 12 a of the package and folded such that thea portion of the panel 16′ is associated with a second side 12 b of thepackage 12, where the second side 12 b is adjacent to the first side 12a and the second side 12 b can be placed on a horizontal shelf 22. Thepanel 16′ may be attached to the first side 12 a or the second side 12 bor both sides 12 a, 12 b. Where attached, the panel 16′ may be attachedby any suitable means, including but not limited to tape, adhesive orstaples.

The sleeve's 16 dimensions may be measured by measuring a peak lengthalong that dimension, or a minimum length along that dimension or saiddimension may be the average and/or constant length along thatdimension. For example, the second height, H₂, may be a peak heightlocated anywhere on the sleeve 16 as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows thesame principle with respect to the width, W₂. In another example, thesecond height, H₂, can be a minimum height located anywhere on thesleeve 16. In one nonlimiting example, the second height, H₂, secondwidth, W₂ and/or second depth, D₂ is located in the center of one ormore sides of the sleeve 16. In another nonlimiting example, the secondheight, H₂, may be the average and/or constant height of the sleeve 16as shown in FIG. 15. The same principle applies to the width and depthdimensions (W₂ and D₂).

The second height, H₂, may be less than the first height, H₁. In onenonlimiting example, the second height, H₂, is at least 30% of the firstheight, H₁, or between 20% and 80% of the first height, H₁. The secondheight, H₂, second width, W₂, and second depth, D₂, may be viewed on aCartesian coordinate system such that they are mutually orthogonal. Inan intended use, the sleeve 16 may be placed on a horizontal surface,such as a substantially horizontal shelf 22 that would be present in astore or in a consumer's home or workplace. The sleeve 16 may be placedsuch that the second height, H₂, is perpendicular to the horizontalshelf 22, causing the second height, H₂, to be vertically oriented, andthe second width W₂ and second depth, D₂ to lay in a plane parallel theplane of the shelf 22 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, the sleeve 16 may beplaced on the shelf 22 such that the second depth, D₂, or the width, W₂,is perpendicular to the shelf 22 when sleeve 16 is in an alternativein-use orientation, causing the second depth, D₂, or the second width,W₂, respectively to be vertically oriented (see FIG. 13). In oneembodiment, the second depth, D₂, may be less than the first depth, D₁.In another embodiment, the second width, W₂, may be less than the firstwidth, W₁.

In a further embodiment, the sleeve 16 substantially surrounds thesoft-sided package 12 and both the first height, H₁, and the secondheight, H₂, are vertically oriented on the shelf 22 (as shown in FIG. 2for example). At least a portion of the sleeve 16 may be in contactingrelationship with the substantially horizontal shelf 22. In anotherembodiment, at least a portion of the package 12 may be in contactingrelationship with the shelf 22. Having both the first height, H₁, andthe second height, H₂, be vertically oriented allows the soft-sidedpackage 12 to be presented to consumers in a generally verticalrelationship (on its end, so to speak) in a stable fashion.Alternatively, the dispensing system 10 may be oriented such that boththe first height, H₁, and the second height, H₂, are horizontallyoriented on the shelf 22 (as shown in FIG. 13). In such nonlimitingexample, P₂ and P₁ may equate to the sums of the respective height anddepth dimensions as shown in FIG. 13. In any orientation, the sleeve 16helps prevent the package 12 from falling.

In yet another nonlimiting example, the sleeve 16 substantiallysurrounds the perimeter, P₁, of the soft-sided package 12 and eachdimension of the package (D₁, W₁, H₁) is oriented with the respectivedimension of the sleeve 16 (D₂, W₂, H₂) when package 12 and sleeve 16are in their in-use orientation. In other words, for example, if D₁ ishorizontally oriented, then D₂ is horizontally oriented.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 16 exhibits the second height, H₂, on amain panel 16 a, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12. In a further embodiment,depicted in FIG. 15 for example, the sleeve 16 substantially surroundsthe perimeter, P1, of the package 12 such that the main panel 16 aaligns with a side 12 a of the package 12 having the dispensing opening24. The sleeve 16, in particular the second height, H₂, may besufficient to cover a portion of the dispensing opening 24. In onenonlimiting example, the sleeve 16, at the point at which it exhibitsthe second height, H₂, may be sufficient to cover the entire dispensingopening 24. Likewise, as in FIG. 13, one or both of the other dimensionsof the sleeve 16 (D₂ and/or W₂) may be sufficient to cover a portion orall of the dispensing opening 24. Covering the dispensing opening 24prevents damage of the opening 24, particularly where the dispensingopening 24 is formed from or otherwise incorporates a line of weakness24 a.

Returning to FIG. 12, the sleeve 16 may also comprise indicia 20 in areading orientation as defined above. For example, the term “Brand”shown in FIG. 12, which is representative of a manufacturer's brandinformation 26 is oriented such that when the sleeve 16 is shelved withheight H₂ being perpendicular to the shelf 22, the indicia 20 of thebrand information 26 is “upside up,” so to speak and is in readingorientation. Indicia 20 may be present on one or more sides of thesleeve 16. As explained in more detail below, indicia 20 may be orienteddifferently on each side of the sleeve 16. Indicia 20 on the sleeve maybe the same as or different from indicia 20 on the package 12.

In addition, the sleeve 16 may comprise a second design 30, as shown inFIG. 13 for example. The second design 30 may complement the firstdesign 28 located on the package 12. For instance, the designs 28, 30may have similar or corresponding shapes, colors, patterns, indicia orthe like. Alternatively, the designs 28, 30 may coordinate visuallywithout having similar shapes, colors, patterns or indicia. In onenonlimiting example, the design 28 of the package is a different colorand/or pattern from the design 30 of the sleeve 16, but both designs 28,30 are aesthetically coordinated.

In a further embodiment, the sleeve 16 comprises a fold-in stabilizer 36as depicted in FIGS. 12, 15 and 16. In one nonlimiting example, thesleeve 16 comprises at least two fold-in stabilizers 36. The fold-instabilizer 36 may be formed from a lateral cut 38 spanning across twosides 16 b, 16 c at a corner of the sleeve 16 and being perpendicular tothe second height, H₂. The cut 38 may intersect a fold line 40 presentbetween the two sides 16 b, 16 c of the sleeve 16. The portion of thesleeve 16 below the cut is folded inwards, creating the fold-instabilizer 36. When engaged (i.e., folded in), the fold-in stabilizer 36may provide a platform on which the package 12 may sit. The cut 38 maybe a third height, H₃, sufficient to provide stability to the package 12and/or prevent the package 12 from touching a shelf 22 or similarsurface once the fold-in stabilizer 36 is engaged. In anothernonlimiting example, the sleeve 16 comprises two fold-in stabilizers 36on adjacent edges of the sleeve 16 (not shown). One of skill in the artwill recognize that lateral cut 38 may be made with respect to the widthor depth dimensions as opposed to the height dimension if so desired.

Turning to FIG. 17, the sleeve 16 may comprise an exterior surface 165,having multiple sides. One or more sides may comprise indicia 20. Eachside may be externally facing such that each is viewable when the sleeve16 is placed around a package 12. In one nonlimiting example, a firstindicia 20 a is provided on a first side 160, a second indicia 20 b isprovided on a second side 162 and a third indicia 20 c is provided on athird side 164 of the sleeve 16. The indicia 20 a, 20 b, 20 c on eachside 160, 162, and 164 are each provided in reading orientation. Theindicia 20 a, 20 b and 20 c may be the same or different, or partiallythe same or partially different. In an embodiment, the indicia 20 a, 20b, 20 c are oriented differently relative to one another. In onenonlimiting example, the first indicia 20 a is generally aligned along avertical axis with individual characters “upside up” as depicted in FIG.17, which renders it in a reading orientation when the sleeve 16 is seton a shelf 22 as depicted in FIG. 2. The second indicia 20 b isgenerally aligned along a horizontal axis and substantiallyperpendicular to the first indicia 20 a with respect to the axis ofalignment of the characters, but again the characters are “upside up”and therefore in a reading orientation when the sleeve 16 is set on ashelf 22 as depicted in FIG. 2 The third indicia 20 c is generallyaligned along a vertical axis, being substantially perpendicular to thesecond indicia 20 b with respect to the axis and having each charactersubstantially perpendicular to the orientation of the characters in thefirst indicia 20 a, and is not in a reading orientation when the sleeve16 is set on a shelf 22 as depicted in FIG. 2. In other words, theindicia 20 a, 20 b, 20 c on each sleeve side 160, 162, 164 differs fromanother side with respect to the axis on which the characters arealigned and/or with respect to the orientation of the individualcharacters within the indicia 20 a, 20 b, 20 c. One of skill in the artwill recognize that the orientation may vary in ways other thanperpendicularly. Indeed, the axes of alignment of the different indicia20 a, 20 b, 20 c or the individual characters of each different indicia20 a, 20 b, 20 c may be oriented at any angle relative to one othersuitable for practice of the present invention. The indicia 20 a, 20 b,20 c may not be in reading orientation simultaneously. Said differently,for example, the sleeve 16 may be provided in one position for thesecond indicia 20 b to be in reading orientation and provided in anotherposition for the third indicia 20 c to be in reading orientation.However, the multiple orientations provide for flexibility in displaydesigns and ease in product recognition. Although described with respectto the sleeve 16, the package 12 may include indicia 20 present ondifferent sides of the package 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and having differentreading orientations as contemplated in this paragraph. The indicia oneach side 12 a, 12 b, 12 c of the package 12 may be the same or may bedifferent. A nonlimiting example is shown in FIG. 1. Where both thesleeve 16 and the package 12 comprise indicia 20, the indicia on alignedsides may be in the same reading orientation or differently oriented.For example in FIG. 15, the indicia 20 on the front side of the package12 a and the indicia 20 on the front side of the sleeve 16 a areoriented in substantially the same manner and thus have the same readingorientation, while the reading orientations of the indicia 20 on theleft side of the sleeve 16 b and the left side of the package 12 c arenot oriented the same and do not have the same reading orientation.

In still another embodiment, shown in FIG. 18, the sleeve 16 comprisesone or more stiffeners 35. The stiffener 35 may be associated with theouter wrap 14 as discussed above. In one nonlimiting example, thestiffener 35 is disposed on the main panel 16 a of the sleeve 16. In anembodiment, the sleeve 16 comprises a removable portion 161. Removal ofthe removable portion 161 may be facilitated by a line of weakness, suchas perforations, or any other suitable means. The removable portion 161may be adjacent to the stiffener 35, such that when the removableportion 161 is removed, the stiffener 35 remains associated with theouter wrap 14. In one nonlimiting example, the removable portion 161covers at least a portion of the dispensing opening 24. One or moreremovable portions 161 may be employed.

Other Configurations

In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 19, the dispensing system 10 maycomprise a plurality of soft-sided packages 120, 122, 124. Thesoft-sided packages 120, 122, 124 may have any of the features describedin detail above. By way of nonlimiting example, each of the packages120, 122, 124 may be made of outer wrap 14 and have a 1% MD secantmodulus to caliper ratio of about 5 MPa/μm or less or about 3 MPa/μm orless. Each package 120, 122, 124 may also comprise a plurality ofsanitary tissue products 15 and/or a corner seal 32. The sanitarytissues 15 in one package 120 may be the same or different from thesanitary tissue products 15 in other packages 122, 124. At least one ofthe packages 12 may have a first height, H₁, which may be the longestdimension of that package 12.

The packages 120, 122, 124 may be placed side-by-side and orfront-to-back such that their height, width and depth dimensions arerespectively oriented in the same direction (i.e., depth of package 1 isoriented in the same manner as the depth of package 2, height of package1 is oriented in the same manner as the height of package 2, etc.). Whenplaced in close proximity or contacting relationship, the plurality ofpackages 120, 122, 124 collectively form a circumference, C₁, extendingaround perimeter of the collective packages 120, 122, 124. In onenonlimiting example, the circumference, C₁, extends around the heightand depth dimensions of the packages 120, 122, 124 (not shown). Inanother nonlimiting example, the circumference, C₁, extends around thewidth and the height dimensions of the packages 120, 122, 124 (notshown). In yet another nonlimiting example (as shown in FIG. 19), thecircumference, C₁, extends around the width and depth dimensions of thepackages 120, 122, 124. The packages 120, 122, 124 may each comprise apackage design 280, 282, 284. The package designs 280, 282, 284 may bethe same or different, or partially the same or partially different.

In a further embodiment, a sleeve 16 substantially surrounds thecircumference, C₁, and may be in contacting relationship with asubstantially horizontal shelf 22. The sleeve 16 may comprise any of thefeatures described above. By way of nonlimiting example, the sleeve 16may be made of a material 18 more rigid than the outer wrap 14 used toform the packages 120, 122, 124, such as paperboard. Likewise, thesleeve 16 may have a second height, H₂, which may be less than the firstheight, H₁. In one nonlimiting example, the second height, H₂, is atleast 30% of the first height, H₁. In one nonlimiting example, both thefirst height, H₁, and the second height, H₂, have a vertical orientationin their in-use orientation.

In a further embodiment, the second height, H₂, is the longest dimensionof the sleeve 16. In yet another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 19, thelongest dimension of the sleeve 16 may be oriented perpendicular to thelongest dimension of one or more of the packages. In such case, forexample, the first height, H₁, may have a vertical orientation in itsin-use orientation, while the second height, H₂, may be in a planeparallel to the shelf 22. The dispensing system 10 may be arranged suchthat the first height, H₁, is oriented in the same direction as any oneof the sleeve's 16 dimensions (i.e., the second height, H₂, the secondwidth, W₂, or the second depth, D₂) when the dispensing system 10 is inits in-use orientation. In a further embodiment, the first height, H₁,may be greater than the sleeve dimension (i.e., H₂, D₂ or W₂) that it isaligned with when the dispensing system 10 is in its in-use orientation.In one nonlimiting example, the sleeve dimension aligned with the firstheight, H₁, may be at least 30% of the first height, H₁. As above, thesleeve 16 may be placed such that it covers all or a portion of adispensing opening 24 in one or more of the packages 120, 122, 124. Thesleeve 16 may also comprise one or more fold-in stabilizers 36 of thetype described above and/or one or more stiffeners 35 as describedabove. Further, the sleeve 16 may comprise indicia 20 in readingorientation. The indicia 20 may comprise brand information 26. Any ofthe packages 120, 122, 124 and/or the sleeve 16 may be provided withindicia 20 on one or more of their respective sides and said indicia 20may be differently oriented. The sleeve 16 may also comprise a sleevedesign 300. The sleeve design 300 may complement one or more of thepackage designs 280, 282, 284. For instance, one or more of the packagedesigns 280, 282, 284 and the sleeve design 300 may have similar orcorresponding shapes, colors, patterns, indicia or the like.Alternatively, the designs 280, 282, 284, 300 may coordinate visuallywithout having similar shapes, colors, patterns or indicia. In onenonlimiting example, one or more of the package designs 280, 282, 284 isa different color and/or pattern from the sleeve design 300 but thedesigns 280, 282 and/or 284 and 300 are aesthetically coordinated.

Array

In a further embodiment, an array 42 of dispensing systems 10 isprovided. As shown in FIG. 20, the array 42 may comprise a firstdispensing system 44 and a second dispensing system 46. The firstdispensing system 44 may comprise a first soft-sided package 48 havingany of the features described above. The second dispensing system 46 maycomprise a second soft-sided package 50 having any of the featuresdescribed above. Each package 48, 50 may comprise a plurality ofsanitary tissue products 15. The sanitary tissue products 15 a in thefirst soft-sided package 48 may be the same or different from thesanitary tissue products 15 b in the second soft-sided package 50.

In one embodiment, the first soft-sided package 48 comprises a firstpackage design 52. In a further embodiment, the second soft-sidedpackage 50 comprises a second package design 54. The first packagedesign 52 may be the same or different, or partially the same orpartially different, from the second design 54. In one nonlimitingexample, the first package design 52 and the second package design 54complement each other. For instance, the designs 52, 54 may have similaror corresponding shapes, colors, patterns, indicia or the like.Alternatively, the designs 52, 54 may coordinate visually without havingsimilar shapes, colors, patterns or indicia. In one nonlimiting example,the designs 52, 54 are different colors and/or patterns but both designs52, 54 are aesthetically coordinated.

In another embodiment, the array 42 optionally includes a first sleeve56. The first sleeve 56 substantially surrounds the first soft-sidedpackage 48 in the same way as described above with respect to sleeves 16surrounding the perimeter, P₁, of a package 12. Essentially, the firstsoft-sided package 48 has a first perimeter, P₃, which may be defined asthe sum of the package's 48 width and depth dimensions. (One of skill inthe art will recognize that the perimeter, P₃, alternatively could bedefined as the sum of the package's 48 width and height dimensions orthe sum of its depth and height dimensions). The first sleeve 56substantially surrounds this first perimeter, P₃. The first sleeve 56may comprise first indicia 60 in reading orientation. The first sleeve56 may also comprise a first color scheme, CS1.

The array 42 may also be provided with a second sleeve 58 whichsubstantially surrounds the perimeter, P₄ (referred to as the secondperimeter), of the second soft-sided package 50. The second sleeve 58may comprise indicia 62 in reading orientation. The indicia 60 of thefirst sleeve 56 may be the same or different, or partially the same orpartially different, as the indicia 62 on the second sleeve 58. Thesecond sleeve 58 may also comprise a second color scheme, CS2. Thesecond color scheme, CS2, may be the same or different, or partially thesame or partially different, from the first color scheme, CS1.

One or both sleeves 56, 58 may comprise one or more fold-in stabilizers36 and/or one or more stiffeners 35.

Test Methods

Package Compressibility Test Method

Package thickness (measured in mils, 0.001 inch) is measured as afunction of compression pressure (g/in²) using a Thwing-Albert (14 W.Collings Ave., West Berlin, N.J.) Vantage Compression/Softness Tester(model 1750-2005 or similar), equipped with a 2500 g load cell (forceaccuracy is +/−0.25% when measuring value is between 10%-100% of loadcell capacity, and 0.025% when measuring value is less than 10% of loadcell capacity), a 1.128 inch diameter steel pressure foot (one squareinch cross sectional area) which is aligned parallel to the steel anvil(2.5 inch diameter). The pressure foot and anvil surfaces must be cleanand dust free, particularly when performing the steel-to-steel test.Thwing-Albert software (MAP) controls the motion and data acquisition ofthe instrument.

The instrument and software is set-up to acquire crosshead position andforce data at a rate of 50 points/sec. The crosshead speed (which movesthe pressure foot) for testing samples is set to 1.0 inches/min (thesteel-to-steel test speed is set to 0.05 inches/min). For testing thepackage with the top (i.e., the sheet releasing area) facing up, thecrosshead position and force data are recorded between the load cellrange of approximately 5 and 1500 grams during compression of this test.Since the foot area is one square inch, the force data recordedcorresponds to pressure in units of g/in². The MAP software isprogrammed to the select 15 crosshead position values at specificpressure trap points of 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 300, 400,500, 600, 750, 1000, and 1250 g/in² (i.e., recording the crossheadposition of very next acquired data point after the each pressure pointtrap is surpassed).

For the other two dimensions of the package (i.e., width and height),the crosshead position and force data are recorded between the load cellrange of approximately 5 and 305 grams during compression of this test,with the maximum compression force not exceeding 305 grams for these twodimensions.

Since the overall test system, including the load cell, is not perfectlyrigid, a steel-to-steel test is performed (i.e., nothing in between thepressure foot and anvil) at least twice for each batch of testing, toobtain an average set of steel-to-steel crosshead positions at each ofthe 15 trap points. This steel-to-steel crosshead position data issubtracted from the corresponding crosshead position data at each trappoint for each tested package sample, thereby resulting in the packagethickness (mils) at each pressure trap point.

PackT (trap)=PackCP (trap)−SteelCP (trap)

Where:

-   -   trap=trap point pressure    -   PackT=Thickness of Package (at trap pressure)    -   PackCP=Crosshead position of Package in test (at trap pressure)    -   SteelCP=Crosshead position of steel-to-steel test (at trap        pressure)

The package is placed on the anvil, with its sheet releasing area facingup (unopened), centered with respect to the pressure foot. Additional(duplicate) tests must be performed on a different, untested package.

From these one or more tests, an average crosshead position of thepackage at each trap pressure (i.e., PackCP(trap)) is calculated. Then,using the average steel-to-steel crosshead trap points (i.e.,SteelCP(trap)), the average package thickness at each trap (i.e.,PackT(trap)) is calculated (mils).

Package Compressibility is defined here as the absolute value of thelinear slope of the package thickness (mils) as a function of thelog(10) of the compression pressure (grams/in²), by using the 15 trappoints discussed previously, in a least squares regression. The unitsfor Package Compressibility are mils/(log(g/in²)), and is reported tothe nearest 0.1 mils/(log(g/in²)). Thickness (mils) at any compressionpressure (trap) is calculated as described above, as PackT(trap), andreported to the nearest 0.1 mils.

Package Bulk is calculated by dividing the package volume (cm³) by itsmass (g). The weight of the package is measured using a top loadinganalytical balance with a resolution of ±0.01 g. The balance isprotected from air drafts and other disturbances using a draft shield.Measure the mass of the package and record the result to the nearest0.01 g. The package volume is calculated from the product of the packagethickness of each of its three dimensions (height, depth, and length) at100 gsi pressure, using the method described above (i.e., PackT(100)),converted to units of cm³. Package Bulk is reported in units of cm³/g tothe nearest 0.01 cm³/g.

For purposes of this test method, package refers to an outer packagecontaining one or more sanitary tissue products. FIG. 4 illustrates anexemplary package and its dimensions as measured for the above-describedtest method.

Stack Compressibility Test Method

Stack thickness (measured in mils, 0.001 inch) is measured as a functionof compression pressure (g/in²) using a Thwing-Albert (14 W. CollingsAve., West Berlin, N.J.) Vantage Compression/Softness Tester (model1750-2005 or similar), equipped with a 2500 g load cell (force accuracyis +/−0.25% when measuring value is between 10%-100% of load cellcapacity, and 0.025% when measuring value is less than 10% of load cellcapacity), a 1.128 inch diameter steel pressure foot (one square inchcross sectional area) which is aligned parallel to the steel anvil (2.5inch diameter). The pressure foot and anvil surfaces must be clean anddust free, particularly when performing the steel-to-steel test.Thwing-Albert software (MAP) controls the motion and data acquisition ofthe instrument.

The instrument and software is set-up to acquire crosshead position andforce data at a rate of 50 points/sec. The crosshead speed (which movesthe pressure foot) for testing samples is set to 0.20 inches/min (thesteel-to-steel test speed is set to 0.05 inches/min). Crosshead positionand force data are recorded between the load cell range of approximately5 and 1500 grams during compression of this test. Since the foot area isone square inch, the force data recorded corresponds to pressure inunits of g/in². The MAP software is programmed to the select 15crosshead position values at specific pressure trap points of 10, 25,50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 1000, and 1250g/in² (i.e., recording the crosshead position of very next acquired datapoint after the each pressure point trap is surpassed).

Since the overall test system, including the load cell, is not perfectlyrigid, a steel-to-steel test is performed (i.e., nothing in between thepressure foot and anvil) at least twice for each batch of testing, toobtain an average set of steel-to-steel crosshead positions at each ofthe 15 trap points. This steel-to-steel crosshead position data issubtracted from the corresponding crosshead position data at each trappoint for each tested stacked sample, thereby resulting in the stackthickness (mils) at each pressure trap point.

StackT (trap)=StackCP (trap)−SteelCP (trap)

Where:

-   -   trap=trap point pressure    -   StackT=Thickness of Stack (at trap pressure)    -   StackCP=Crosshead position of Stack in test (at trap pressure)    -   SteelCP=Crosshead position of steel-to-steel test (at trap        pressure)

A stack of five (5) sheets of wrap material, or five usable units (uu)of paper, is prepared for testing as follows. If testing wrap material,cut five sheets of an area larger than at least 2 inches diameter,avoiding creases, folds, glued regions, and any other artifact not partof the unaltered wrap material. If testing paper, create a stack of fiveusable units by unfolding any folds present in each sheet, and aligningthe edges to each other.

The 5 sheets (one usable unit thick each) of the same approximatedimensions, are placed one on top the other, with their MD aligned inthe same direction, their outer face all pointing in the same direction,and their edges aligned +/−3 mm of each other. The portion of the stackwhere compression testing will take place is never to be physicallytouched, stretched, and/or strained (this includes never to ‘smooth out’the surface with a hand or other apparatus prior to testing).

The 5 sheet stack is placed on the anvil, positioning it such that thepressure foot will contact the stack no closer than 5 mm from any edge.If testing paper, the foot must avoid contacting any fold creases, glue,and/or edge embossing when at all possible (for wrap material, theentire prepared stack itself already does not contain folds, glue,etc.). Additional (duplicate) tests can be performed on a differentstack, or on the same stack (if adequate testing area is available), solong as the new testing location for the pressure foot is in aphysically untouched spot separated by at least ¼inch from any otherprevious test.

From these one or more tests, an average crosshead position of the stackat each trap pressure (i.e., StackCP(trap)) is calculated. Then, usingthe average steel-to-steel crosshead trap points (i.e., SteelCP(trap)),the average stack thickness at each trap (i.e., StackT(trap)) iscalculated (mils).

Stack Compressibility is defined here as the absolute value of thelinear slope of the stack thickness (mils) as a function of the log(10)of the compression pressure (grams/in²), by using the 15 trap pointsdiscussed previously, in a least squares regression. The units for StackCompressibility are mils/(log(g/in²)), and is reported to the nearest0.1 mils/(log(g/in²)). Thickness (mils) (i.e., Paper Thickness or WrapThickness) at any compression pressure (trap) is calculated as theStackT(trap) divided by the number of layers in the stack, and reportedto the nearest 0.1 mils.

Wrap Density at a given compression pressure is calculated by dividingthe Wrap Basis Weight by the thickness of the wrap at a desiredcompression pressure using the method described above (i.e., StackT(300)divided by the number of layers in the stack, if the thickness is takenat 300 gsi compression pressure). Wrap Density is reported in units ofg/cm³. Wrap Bulk at a given compression pressure is the inverse of WrapDensity at the given compression pressure and is reported in units ofcm³/g to the nearest 0.01 cm³/g.

Paper Density at a given compression pressure is calculated by dividingthe Paper Basis Weight by the thickness of the sanitary tissue productat a desired compression pressure using the method described above(i.e., StackT(25) divided by the number of layers in the stack, if thethickness is taken at 25 gsi compression pressure; or StackT(100)divided by the number of layers in the stack, if the thickness is takenat 100 gsi compression pressure; or StackT(300), divided by the numberof layers in the stack, if the thickness is taken at 300 gsi compressionpressure). Paper Density is reported in units of g/cm³. Paper Bulk at agiven compression pressure is the inverse of Paper Density at the givencompression pressure and is reported in units of cm³/g to the nearest0.01 cm³/g.

Plate Stiffness Test Method

As used herein, the “Plate Stiffness” test is a measure of stiffness ofa flat sample as it is deformed downward into a hole beneath the sample.For the test, the sample is modeled as an infinite plate with thickness“t” that resides on a flat surface where it is centered over a hole withradius “R”. A central force “F” applied to the tissue directly over thecenter of the hole deflects the tissue down into the hole by a distance“w”. For a linear elastic material the deflection can be predicted by:

$w = {\frac{3F}{4\pi \; {Et}^{3}}\left( {1 - v} \right)\left( {3 + v} \right)R^{2}}$

where “E” is the effective linear elastic modulus, “v” is the Poisson'sratio, “R” is the radius of the hole, and “t” is the thickness of thetissue, taken as the caliper in millimeters measured on a stack of 1 to5 tissues (or other test material) under a specified load (in gramsforce per square inch of area, gsi). Taking Poisson's ratio as 0.1 (thesolution is not highly sensitive to this parameter, so the inaccuracydue to the assumed value is likely to be minor), the previous equationcan be rewritten for “w” to estimate the effective modulus as a functionof the flexibility test results:

$E \approx {\frac{3R^{2}}{4t^{3}}\frac{F}{w}}$

The test results are carried out using an MTS Alliance RT/1, InsightRenew, or similar model testing machine (MTS Systems Corp., EdenPrairie, Minn.), with a 50 Newton load cell, and data acquisition rateof at least 25 force points per second. As a stack of five tissue sheetsor wrap material (created without any bending, pressing, or straining)at least 2.5-inches by 2.5 inches, but no more than 5.0 inches by 5.0inches, oriented in the same direction, sits centered over a hole ofradius 15.75 mm on a support plate, a blunt probe of 3.15 mm radiusdescends at a speed of 20 mm/min.

For typical tissue paper, sample preparation consists of removing five(5) usable units, and carefully forming a 5 sheet stack, and cutting thestack in square dimensions, unfolding any folds (common in facialtissue) and avoiding creases from such folds. For packaging wrapmaterial, sample preparation consists of creating a 5 sheet stack bycutting five sheets of an area larger than at least 2 inches diameter(no larger than 5 inches by 5 inches square) avoiding creases, folds,glued regions, and any other artifact not part of the unaltered wrapmaterial (which is typically found on side walls of the package/box).

Basis Weight Test Method for Outer Wrap Material

Basis weight of the package wrap material is measured on stacks of foursquares using a top loading analytical balance with a resolution of±0.001 g. The balance is protected from air drafts and otherdisturbances using a draft shield. Cut four squares of the wrap materialusing a precision cutting die (or other precision cutting device) todimensions of 2.00 in ±0.01 in by 2.00 in ±0.01 in. Measure the mass ofthe sample stack and record the result to the nearest 0.001 g.

The Basis Weight is calculated in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m² as follows:

Basis Weight=(Mass of stack)/[(Area of 1 layer in stack)×(Number oflayers)]

For example,

Basis Weight (lbs/3000 ft²)=[[Mass of stack (g)/453.6 (g/lbs)]/[4(in²)/144 (in²/ft²)×4]]×3000

Or,

Basis Weight (g/m²)=Mass of stack (g)/[25.806 (cm²)/10,000 (cm²/m²)×4]

Report result to the nearest 0.1 lbs/3000 ft² or 0.1 g/m². Sampledimensions can be changed or varied using a similar precision cutter asmentioned above, so as at least 10 square inches of sample area is inthe stack.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

For every range cited, all 0.1 increments within the recited ranges arealso specifically recited.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A soft-sided package comprising an outer wrapcomprising a 1% MD secant modulus to caliper ratio of about 5 MPa/μm orless, a plurality of sanitary tissue products disposed within the outerwrap, and a corner seal.
 2. The soft-sided package of claim 1 whereinthe corner seal comprises a foot.
 3. The soft-sided package of claim 1wherein the outer wrap is translucent.
 4. The soft-sided package ofclaim 1 wherein the outer wrap comprises a structured wrap material. 5.A soft-sided package comprising an outer wrap and a plurality ofsanitary tissue products disposed within the outer wrap and a packagebulk of about 7 cm³/g or greater at a compression pressure of 100 gsi.6. The soft-sided package of claim 5 wherein the outer wrap comprises a1% MD secant to caliper ratio of about 5 MPa/μm or less.
 7. Thesoft-sided package of claim 5 wherein the plurality of sanitary tissueproducts comprises a structured sanitary tissue product.
 8. Thesoft-sided package of claim 5 wherein the package bulk is 10 cm³/g orgreater at a compression pressure of 100 gsi.
 9. The soft-sided packageof claim 5 further comprising a corner seal.
 10. A soft-sided packagecomprising an outer wrap and a plurality of sanitary tissue productsdisposed within the outer wrap wherein the package comprises a packagedepth compressibility of about 210 mils/(log(g/in²)) or greater.
 11. Thesoft-sided package of claim 10 wherein the plurality of sanitaryproducts comprises a paper stack compressibility of about 11mils/(log(g/in²)) or greater.
 12. The soft-sided package of claim 10wherein the package depth compressibility is about 500 mils/(log(g/in²)) or greater.
 13. The soft-sided package of claim 10 furthercomprising a corner seal.
 14. A soft-sided package comprising an outerwrap and a plurality of sanitary tissue products disposed within theouter wrap, wherein the package further comprises a dispensing openingon a first side and the outer wrap is associated with a stiffener spaceda distance, D_(stiff), away from the dispensing opening and at leastpartially disposed on the first side.
 15. The soft-sided package ofclaim 14 wherein the stiffener comprises a rigid material comprising arigidity greater than the rigidity of the outer wrap.
 16. The soft-sidedpackage of claim 15 wherein the stiffener comprises paperboard.
 17. Thesoft-sided package of claim 14 wherein the first side comprises a sideheight, H_(side), and the stiffener comprises a stiffener height,H_(stiff), that is less than the side height, H_(side).
 18. Thesoft-sided package of claim 14 wherein the dispensing opening comprisesan area, A_(disp), that is 70% of the surface area of the first side,A_(side), or greater.
 19. The soft-sided package of claim 14 wherein thefirst side comprises a side width, W_(side), and the stiffener has astiffener width, W_(stiff), that is less than the side width, W_(side).20. The soft-sided package of claim 14 wherein the stiffener issubstantially parallel to an edge of the dispensing opening.